BOARD DATE: 4 May 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160000610 BOARD VOTE: ____x_____ ___x____ ____x____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 4 May 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR AR20160000610 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending item 30 of his DD Form 214 to add the SSN as shown on his DD Form 398 and social security card. ______________x___________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. BOARD DATE: 4 May 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160000610 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his social security number (SSN) as 159-xx-xxxx instead of 914-xx-xxxx. 2. The applicant states, in effect, that the SSN listed on his DD Form 214 is incorrect. He wants his record to be accurate. 3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 and social security card. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. In connection with his induction into the Army of the United States, the applicant completed a DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History) and listed his SSN as 159-xx-xxxx in the block provided in item 13 (Employment). 3. On 15 July 1969, he was inducted into the Army of the United States. His DD Form 47 (Record of Induction) list his service number as 914-xx-xxxx. However, in item 1 (Last Name-First Name-Middle Name) his Social Security Account Number (SSAN) is listed as 159-xx-xxxx. 4. On 17 February 1971, he was honorably discharged from active duty. Item 3 (SSN) of his DD Form 214 shows his SSN as 914-xx-xxxx. 5. The applicant provides his social security card which shows his SSN as 159-xx-xxxx. REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 600-2 (Name and Birth Data, Social Security Account, and Temporary Identification Number (TIN), in effect at the time, prescribed the procedures used for recording, issuing, or changing personnel information normally used as a means of identification. a. The SSAN or TIN, as appropriate, will be used as the personal identifier number of U.S. Army personnel in the active, retired, and U.S. Army Reserve components effective 1 July 1969. b. The SSAN is a primary personnel identifier, it is the responsibility of commanders at all echelons to assure that the correct number is recorded on personnel records and that only one SSAN is assigned to an individual. c. Chapter 4 (TIN) prescribed the procedures for issuing a TIN as a means of personnel identification for those individuals being processed for military service who did not have an SSN. (1) The number "9" was designated as the first number of the 9-digit TIN. (2) The TIN would be entered in pencil on Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station records in those items reserved for recording the SSN at the time of pre-enlistment or pre-induction processing. Upon receipt of a social security card by the individual prior to his entrance into the active Army, the pencil entry of the TIN would be replaced by permanent entry of the SSN. 2. Information available from the Social Security Administration shows that SSNs beginning with 800-999 are not valid SSNs; no numbers above 799 have ever been issued. 3. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at that time, prescribed policies and procedures regarding separation documents. It also established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of a separation document is to provide the individual with evidence of his or her military service at the time of separation. It is a vital record for interested government agencies which assist the veteran in obtaining the rights and benefits to which he is entitled. It is important that information entered thereon is complete and accurate. It stated in item 3 enter the individual’s SSN. In item 30 (Remarks) enter entries that are too long for their respective blocks. During the early 1970s instructions for the Remarks section included "Transcribe SSN in the following manner: SSN: 000-00-0000." DISCUSSION: The applicant’s DD Form 398 shows he disclosed his SSN as 159-xx-xxxx upon his induction into the Army of the United States. This SSN is consistent with the SSN listed on his at least one other document in his service record and the SSN shown on the social security card he provides. Even though he disclosed his SSN, he was assigned a TIN by government officials and this TIN was used throughout his service to include his DD Form 214. As such it is properly recorded on his DD Form 214. However, item 30 does not show his SSN. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150017350 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR AR20160000610 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2